Pakistan spinner appeals life ban

Pakistan's Danish Kaneria ... hopes to revive his international career. Source: ANDREW YATES / News Limited

Former Pakistan legspinner Danish Kaneria hopes to revive his international career following an appeal of his life ban before a disciplinary committee of the England and Wales Cricket Board next week.

Kaneria was banned by the ECB last year for pressuring former Essex teammate Mervyn Westfield into spot-fixing in an English county one-day game in 2009.

Kaneria left on Tuesday for London, where the hearing will be held next Monday.

"I have high hopes the panel will be independent and neutral in this hearing," Kaneria told The Associated Press by telephone from the southern port city of Karachi. 

"My livelihood is stuck due to the ECB's ban."

The hearing was deferred last December when the ECB was unable to gain Westfield's cooperation to appear before the committee.

Westfield, who pleaded guilty to receiving payment which could bring him or the game into disrepute, was banned for five years, but allowed to participate in minor club cricket after three years.

Westfield's admission of guilt and his evidence against Kaneria led the ECB to reduce a possible suspension of nine years to five, and allow him to be involved only in club cricket after three years of his ban.

Kaneria expects Westfield to testify in his favour.

"I hope things will be seen more clearly by the disciplinary committee in the presence of Westfield," he said.

He played for Pakistan from 2000 to 2010, when he was suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board until the spot-fixing case was resolved. An integral part of Pakistan's test team, he took 261 wickets in 61 matches.

Kaneria's determination to clear his name included an appeal to the Sindh High Court in Karachi to try to overturn his PCB suspension. But the court dismissed his appeal in 2011, saying it was not within its jurisdiction.

Pakistan cricket has been hit badly by spot-fixing and match-fixing over the last three years.

Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir are serving long bans for their involvement in spot-fixing during a Test against England in 2010, while last week the PCB banned umpire Nadeem Ghauri for four years for corruption.

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I answered truthfully: Hird

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Relief ... James Hird celebrates Essendon's win over Fremantle. Source: Alex Coppel / News Limited

Essendon coach James Hird has released a statement after meeting with ASADA officials on Tuesday, saying he fully co-operated and truthfully answered every question.

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In a statement released on Tuesday night, Hird said:

"Today I attended an interview with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the AFL Integrity Officers.

"At the interview I fully co-operated and truthfully answered every question that was put to me by the investigators.

"I will not do anything to impede the ASADA and AFL investigation and will continue to co-operate fully.

"This includes maintaining the confidentiality of the interview. This is incumbent upon all parties present at the ASADA and AFL investigation so as to not pollute the process.

"I welcomed the opportunity to tell the truth today."

Earlier, Hird left his Toorak home on Tuesday morning, dressed in a suit and Bombers tie, saying he was looking forward to meeting ASADA officers.

"I'm just looking forward to having my say," he said.

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Asked if he was confident he could clear his name, Hird said: "Yes mate."

Hird will not be under oath when he faces drugs investigators for the first time.

But he nevertheless would face tough penalties if found not to have told the truth.

ASADA officers are probing claims that players received banned intravenous injections - one of several concerns raised about the club's sports science regimen last year.

Sports scientist Stephen Dank has said that during his time at Essendon he injected Hird with the performance-enhancing drug Hexarelin, which is banned for players.

The AFL Anti-Doping Code demands players and coaches must:

FULLY co-operate with any investigation.

FULLY and truthfully answer all questions.

PROVIDE documents if requested.

Players and coaches who fail to do this face a minimum $10,000 fine. If a breach of this section is referred to the AFL Tribunal by the league, there is no limit on the sanction that can be applied.

The code prohibits coaches from supplying and administering performance-enhancing drugs, but not from taking them.

The AFL can sanction anyone it believes has brought the game into disrepute.

Evidence gathered by ASADA would ultimately come before the AFL Tribunal if the agency found players or officials had a case to answer.

Former ASADA chief Richard Ings said: "In the infraction notice (from the AFL), it will say ASADA has told the AFL that you have a case to answer for breaching these provisions of the anti-doping rules; the penalty for this breach is a ban, or whatever -- two years, say; you have an opportunity now to either accept the ban, or to request a hearing before the AFL anti-doping panel.

"The hearing, the tribunal, is held by the AFL.

"ASADA would be the counsel prosecuting the case, because they've got the evidence, and the player and his attorney would be the defence."

Hird was expected to be accompanied by a lawyer, or lawyers,  on Tuesday.

Under common ASADA practices:

THE interview would be conducted by two ASADA officials.

AN investigator from the AFL's integrity office could attend and ask questions.

THE interview would be recorded.

Hird is not bound by privacy laws and can share anything from the interview.

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'His footwork should be applauded'

Kevin Proctor ... an unsung hero for Melbourne against South Sydney. Source: FOX SPORTS

Former St George Illawarra superstar Mark Gasnier looks back on the sixth round of NRL action in 2013 and singles out his player of the week to be awarded The Gaz Man.

And the award, for his starring role in the Storm's big win over South Sydney, goes to...

KEVIN PROCTOR

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This guy's another of those unsung heroes for the Storm who really helps to make the whole machine operate as well as it does. 

Against the Rabbitohs Proctor stepped up to start in place of Tohu Harris and they had a gameplan to target John Sutton in defence. 

Sutton's a great tackler but his decision making can be questionable at times. 

I don't think they could have executed that gameplan without Kevin Proctor. 

His ability to use footwork to get inside Sutton's inside shoulder should be applauded.

A lot of teams try to run inside John Sutton with the fullback sweeping out the back to create that three on two but the whole idea of running that decoy play is to open up the edges.

I think Kevin Proctor has the ability.

He is such an athletic backrower that he was able to make Sutton really think about what he was going to do. 

He broke the line once and Sutton only just held onto him to save a try before breaking them again where he palmed off Greg Inglis for a try. 

There was also another time where he half went through and offloaded it for a half line-break. 

It's hard to argue that the Storm-Rabbitohs match was the highest quality match of the round, if not the season, and without Kevin Proctor's influence the Storm may not have run away with it. 

He really stood out against a great pack of forwards. 

I wouldn't say Melbourne's forward pack dominated Souths but I thought their edge backrowers really outshone their Rabbitohs opposites. 

That was the difference to how each team rolled up the field and questioned the decision making of the outside backs. 

Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk deserve every accolade that they get but if they don't have guys like Proctor with the ability to hold the opposition up so Slater can get out the back and take advantage of three on twos, he wouldn't be scoring near as many tries as he does. 

If there was no Proctor, Sutton wouldn't be as worried about what the inside man's going to do and the overlaps wouldn't be created. 

I also thought he did a lot of hard graft. 

Yes, he did the glamorous stuff out on the edges but he also did a lot of hard work - hit-ups coming off his own try-line second and third play, and worked hard defensively. 

What an option to start Kevin Proctor instead of Tohu Harris! 

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NRL fan stuck in mud for 30 hours

Albert Kelly ... celebtrates scoring the match winning try. Source: CHARLES KNIGHT / AAP

A Titans fan was rescued on Tuesday morning after spending more than 30 hours stuck in a swamp at Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast.

Police were called to swampland at the southern end of Railway Street at 2.45am today after local residents heard a man calling for help, the Gold Coast Bulletin reports.

The 41-year-old man said he got stuck after he tried to take a shortcut on Sunday night after leaving the Titans game against Parramatta at Skilled Park, Robina.

"When police arrived they searched the area using a spotlight and located a 41-year -old man in the middle of a swamp area, some distance away from the road,'' police said.

"He had sunk into the watercourse and was unable to free himself."

It is believed no one noticed he was missing yesterday or saw him waving his hands for help.

Rescuers this morning waded into the swampland and used ropes to help pull the man to safety before carrying him to dry land.

He was taken to Robina Hospital and treated for climate exposure and cuts.

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Beale itching to return says Folau

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Australian Wallabies' ... fly half Kurtley Beale waiting to return from suspension. Source: JUAN MABROMATA / AFP

Israel Folau says troubled Melbourne Rebels star Kurtley Beale is ready and 'itching' to make his return to the football field.

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Beale, 24, has reportedly sought counselling following an alcohol-fuelled altercation with Wallabies teammate Cooper Vuna in South Africa three weeks ago.

Folau said on Wednesday night that he had been in contact with Beale who had been stood down to deal with his demons.

"He's been great," Folau told The Back Page.

"The time off helped him a lot. Speaking to him, he's itching to get back on the field and play.

"No one knows what time that will be but when he comes back to play he will be ready."

Beale is rumoured to make his return in round 11 against the heavyweight Crusaders in Christchurch.

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Fair or Unfair: 2013 Brown's last?

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Courage ... Jonathan Brown may not go around again in 2014. Source: Darren England / News Limited

Brisbane Lions captain Jonathan Brown has been one of the AFL's leading centre-half forwards for more than a decade but has his time come?

Is 2013 Jonathan Brown's last season?

Being one of the most courageous players in the history of the game has taken its toll on Brown and his slow start to the season had many people thinking 2013 might be his last.

However, you should never write off a legend and Brown returned to form on Saturday night against Gold Coast Suns with five goals and the Marcus Ashcroft Medal as best afield in the QClash.

There is no doubt the Lions still need his presence in the forward line but after 233 games and 551 goals how long can Brown be expected to carry to load?

The Warrnambool product has been unlucky with injury in recent seasons but if given a free run could still be a dominant power forward.

On Tuesday night's episode of AFL 360, Gerard Whately and Mark Robinson described the call for Brown to retire as "bewildering".

"It strikes me that we collectively are desperate to retire players," Whately said.

"We're desperate to retire Nick Riewoldt ... the game will be so much poorer when Nick Riewoldt calls it a day.

"We're desperate to retire Johnathan Brown.

"Why are we pushing them all out the door?"

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'Wanderers belief never wavered'

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Defensive rocks ... Beauchamp and Topor-Stanley laud the influence of coach Tony Popovic. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Michael Beauchamp has gone to two World Cups. Nikolai Topor-Stanley has been a professional footballer for seven years.

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But that wealth of experience hasn't been the sole reason for the success of their tenacious combination at the heart of Western Sydney Wanderers' defence.

Both centre-backs admit as much. And it's no surprises who they pay tribute to for helping them hold the fort on the way to 10 clean-sheets and an A-League low of 21 goals conceded. 

"(Coach Tony Popovic) changed my game leaps and bounds," Topor-Stanley told foxsports.com.au.

"Everyone talks about little small details he never over-looks and it's those one per centers that really make a difference."

Fans and pundits have marvelled at the side's attention to detail – their ability to consistently win a loose-ball, close down their man, or hit expertly on the break.

Topor-Stanley, whose career spans stints at Sydney FC, Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets, had always been a first-team A-League player. But now, looking chiselled, fit and athletic, he says it wasn't until he walked into Wanderland that he truly understood what was required of him to go to the next level as a player.

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"It's taken me seven years of professional football to understand what is truly meant by that," he admitted.

"That's why I think we're a pretty consistent team – not up and down each week."

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Watch the Wanderers host the Roar for a place in the A-League grand final, LIVE at 7.30pm (EST) on Friday on Fox Sports 1 HD.

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When asked if he could compare Topor-Stanley of 2013 to this time last year, the left-footed centre-back laughed at the difference.

"Not really – I mean, I was seven kilos heavier," he said.

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"I'm really happy I made the move. I'm under a great leader in Popovic, the boys here are second to none and there's a great culture here."

Club captain Beauchamp has played at the highest level, starting for the Socceroos against Serbia at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

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But even the well-travelled defender admits he owes his 2012-2013 performance to the guidance given by one of Australia's greatest defenders.

"This year, certain things Poppa has tweaked, I've never had that from a coach before," Beauchamp told foxsports.com.au.

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"It's changed my game personally. It's made the game a lot easier.

"I think Topor and I have spoken about it a bit – the simple things you need to change a little bit and it makes you see the game a whole lot differently."

They'll have a key role to play again, lining up against feisty Brisbane Roar striker Besart Berisha as the defending-champions try to cash in on some late-season momentum.

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There's been much written about the fairytale, the unbeaten run, the surprise packet, the hype in western Sydney.

But when you talk to the players, they reveal a sense of belief that was instilled the moment Popovic picked up the phone. He barely had to convince them to join the club.

"Once I got the phone- call from Poppa; knowing him as a player and having had a chat to him initially, there was no second-guessing where I wanted to be," Beauchamp said.

"Everything he told me on the phone has happened this season, I'm sure it will continue. He's a winner – on and off the field."

Was there no element of doubt about joining the great unknown? Topor-Stanley said: "I was hoping one day I'd get the chance to work with him. As soon as he called me up, I knew it was a no-brainer."

The themes whenever the Wanderers players talk are often similar. Admiration for Popovic. Working hard for the team. 

On cue, Topor-Stanley added: "It's not just Michael and myself ... we defend as a team from the front."

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"How many balls have we won down that end? It comes down to the hard work."

Focus is another obvious trait.

That's certainly one thing that won't be wavering heading into this weekend's preliminary final as they achieve the goals they set themselves.

"We set up in Lismore in our pre-season camp and set our goals for the season," Beauchamp said.

"We've achieved a lot of things so far, (but we) still have one thing to go, get into that grand final, and hold up the trophy. We're one game away from that, hopefully we can get there.

"It's great to be a part of it in general. It hasn't come overnight; there's been a lot of hard work. We had a very tough pre-season – this is what has got us to where we are now. It's a great honour to lead the boys out there each week and to see where all the boys have come as players.

"The hunger they still have is a credit to all the boys."

And belief is what has stirred this side on from day one, when there were just a handful of them at training, sweating it out based on a trust in their new coach.

"I think early doors, a lot of people said we'd be competitive and this and that, but the more I saw the boys training, the more I started to be amongst it, I could see from very early days we'd be more than competitive," Beauchamp added.

"It's been an incredible journey but something we all believed. That's why we are where we are."

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Sewell hamstrung for Pies clash

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Sidelined ... Brad Sewell to miss at least a week after injuring a hamstring against the Eagles. Source: Paul Kane / Getty Images

Hawthorn onballer Brad Sewell will miss Sunday's blockbuster clash against Collingwood with a hamstring strain.

Sewell, 29, sustained the injury during the Hawks' 50-point win against West Coast in round two and was subbed out of the game at Subiaco in the third quarter.

He's also in danger of missing Hawthorn's encounter with Fremantle in Launceston in round four, but he told FOX FOOTY's AFL 360 that he was hopeful of missing just the one game.
 
"It's a little bit tight, there's a little bit of bleeding down low in a bit of an odd spot," Sewell said on Tuesday.

"It might only be this week – it was really low grade.

"I don't know exactly when I did it. I came off and it was a little bit tight … so I put the red vest on.

"It really will be just dependant on how it responds. Hopefully I'll run again (on Wednesday), then Thursday (and so on)."

In better news for the Hawks, former Bulldog Brian Lake has declared himself fit for the big clash against the Pies after missing the first two rounds thanks to an injury-interrupted pre-season.

"He's always chomping at the bit," teammate Josh Gibson said on Monday.

"Everyone wants to be playing senior footy, especially for a new club.

"I know he was pretty excited (on Monday) that he got through (his first VFL game) and didn't have any sore spots. So look out this week."

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'Watson hasn't been doing the job'

Out of form ... Gillespie thinks Watson's performances haven't been up to scratch. Source: Rick Rycroft / AAP

Former Test paceman Jason Gillespie believes the uncertainty and confusion surrounding Australia's batting line-up is a serious problem heading into the Ashes.

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Gillespie, now head coach of English county side Yorkshire, predicts Australia will be in for a tough time when they tour England in June.

He is optimistic about Australia's bowling stocks but expects the batsmen to struggle against impressive English quicks Jimmy Anderson and Steve Finn.

Gillespie said Australia's top order appeared beset by confusion.

"There are issues,'' Gillespie told UK newspaper The Guardian on Tuesday.

"If they (selectors) don't feel they're the best six batters then change them.

"But if they are, then give them a good run and back them privately and publicly."

Gillespie said the case of out-of-form batsman Shane Watson was one where selectors should be decisive.

"We can't gloss over the fact that, as a Test cricketer, he hasn't been doing the job," said Gillespie, who played 71 Test for Australia.

"... Is he in Australia's best XI? If he is, then support him to the hilt. If not, make the call and move on."

While Gillespie admits England are in a "good place" ahead of the first Test on July 10, he is excited about Australia's young pace bowling stocks featuring the likes of Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson.

"Australia's bowling is strong and they'll surprise a few people in England," he said.

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Mariners shattered by late goals

Tight tussle ... Berni Ibini and Guizhou's Victoriano Rivas Alvaro. Source: Paul Miller / AAP

The Central Coast Mariners were cruelly denied a first ever away win in the Asian Champions League when Guizhou Renhe scored twice in the last six minutes to beat the A-League side 2-1 in China.

An all-Australian Mariners line-up looked comfortable throughout and led through a first-half penalty from Mitchell Duke until Bosnian striker Zlatan Muslimovic equalised with a solo strike and striker Qu Bo won it two minutes later with a rebound shot after Zvjezdan Misimovic had hit the post.

From being on the verge of qualification, the Mariners are now tied with Guizhou on four points and need to take something from their next match at Suwon Bluewings, just two days after a potential appearance in the A-League grand final.

The key games keep coming thick and fast for the Mariners, with their participation in the April 21 grand final to be decided by this Sunday's meeting with Melbourne Victory in Gosford.

The Mariners got lucky with a soft penalty award for Rao Weihui's slight contact with Nick Fitzgerald in the area but were full value for their lead until they were undone by the individual brilliance of Guizhou's Bosnian pair.

Group H		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Kashiwa	4	3	1	0	7	10
2	Guizhou	4	1	1	2	-1	4
3	Central Coast	4	1	1	2	-2	4
4	Suwon	4	0	3	1	-4	3

Guizhou sat strangely deep at Guiyang Olympic Sports Centre and mostly let the visitors move the ball under little pressure.

The opening goal came in the 41st minute as Oliver Bozanic, one of eight changes to the side that beat Guizhou 2-1 last week, swept in a cross from the left. The ball was too high for Fitzgerald but the referee ruled that his full-length tumble was due to a nudge from his marker.

Memories of the Mariners' five straight missed penalties earlier this season resurfaced with apparent uncertainty over who would take the kick.

With Daniel McBreen among those left at home, captain John Hutchinson eventually handed the ball to Duke, whose shot slipped under the diving goalkeeper for his first goal away from Bluetongue Stadium.

Guizhou coach Gong Lei continued to tinker erratically with his side throughout the match and was sent to the stands in the second half for his touchline protests.

His captain, Sun Jihai, shot just wide midway through the second half following some smart build-up play but the Mariners remained in the ascendancy and Duke was only denied a second goal by a sliding block.

That looked to be it but Muslimovic cut inside fullback Hayden Morton on the left and carried the ball into the area before firing it across goalkeeper Mat Ryan into the net.

Misimovic almost put the home side ahead but teammate Qu did the honours, putting away the rebound from a difficult angle.

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